July 30, 2021
Greetings fabulous readers! I'm so excited to bring you guys this next chapter where a little more of our story starts to develop! And thank you so much to everyone who has reviewed in support of this story. You guys make me excited to get the next chapter out :)
I do want to let you all know that I've added a few fun chapters to my story, "Don't Just Hack off His Arm," but I caution you to NOT READ THE REVIEWS before reading the story as a few people have mentioned *Spoilers* in the reviews (which I totally get it btw, and in fact, i loved seeing those responses, they were awesome and some of my favorites!) I just don't want to ruin the fun surprise for anyone that hasn't read it yet and wants to :) But if you like a little 'other woman' drama, pop in over there after this, lol.
And thank you everyone, for all your heartfelt comments about my double carpal tunnel! I am really excited to be doing more with my hands. I know there is still a long road ahead of me, and I'm just taking it day by day! I am also working on a few surprise Kouga themed jewelry pieces I want to work on as I plan on doing some give-a-ways in the coming months to show you guys how much I appreciate all of your support over the years! :)
Sending you all great big hugs!
Hope you enjoy this next chapter, "Revelations."
xoxo
lady p.
p.s. Yes! W&S is next on the update list, so please stand by! XD
p.p.s for anyone looking for my gofundme support page, plz check out my profile info!
-ooOooOooOoo-SW&tW-ooOooOooOoo-
Kouga's almost at the front part of his dens, his mind set on only one thing . . . well, two things actually. Going to see Kagome, and getting all these fucking wolves out of his den as soon as possible! The former being clearly more important than the latter. Needing a run to clear his head, he's about to step into his winds near the front of his lair when the distinct flare of a particular yoki catches his attention. Kouga's gaze shifts towards the waterfall's entrance, the ever rumbling sentinel, just as a giant wolf breaks through the rushing waters, splashing its coat as it soars through it. The large wolf lands not far from Kouga who realizes the elder must have cut through the cave's back entrance to reach him.
Elder Hiro shakes his sleek and shiny dark fur, releasing sprays of water and a hearty laugh. **I've been dying to do that,** he barks, his giant maw pulling back in a toothy grin.
Kouga finds it nearly impossible to do anything but smirk at his old Alpha's antics, Hiro has always been a different breed of wolf. "You never did mind a good soak."
**And neither did you, if I recall correctly,** the elder rumbles a throaty wolf chuckle.
Kouga grins at the memories that play through his mind as a young wolf before his attention falls back to the present moment. "Hiro, what the hell . . ." Kouga grimaces at himself, his fists curling at his sides tightly before relaxing. "I mean, Elder Hiromasa," he corrects, "what are you really doing here?"
The older wolf chuckles. **Please, Little Fang, don't trouble yourself with formalities with me,** he rumbles, making the younger Alpha blush at the unexpected use of his puppy-hood name.
"I thought I told ya never to call me that," Kouga rumbles grouchily.
**Yes, I believe you did,** taking a few steps closer, Hiro intentionally brushes his large body up against Kouga, making the younger wolf momentarily stumble. **Many times,** he chortles.
Kouga quickly catches his balance at the playful nudge, the elder's tall stature making it impossible to miss the bright gleam in the older wolf's eyes, mostly because they're so fucking huge and obvious.
"The better to see you with my dear," Kagome's voice croaks in a poor impression of a wolf pretending to be an old, bed-ridden grandmother.
Kouga startles back, his heart somersaulting at the unexpected memory of Kagome reading a particularly enjoyable story to the little kitsune one night. It had been about a wolf of all things that had become infatuated with a young girl in a red cape, the name of the story completely eluding him. But . . . where had that come from?
It's hard for Hiro to miss the surprised expression that comes over the still very young Alpha wolf. **Little Fang?** he rumbles softly when the wolf doesn't stir. It seems to work as Kouga's gaze suddenly refocuses, his customary growl at the back of his throat.
"Damn it, what did I just say about calling me that?" He turns to walk down the hill in an attempt to shake off the sudden and overwhelming need to run the hell out of there and go see Kagome, to spend time with her, like he'd promised. To say hello to her. Repeatedly.
**Come. Walk with me,** Hiro says, **and I will tell you why we are here.**
Kouga's tail whips behind him, torn.
The elder wolf arches a bushy eyebrow. **Do you have somewhere more important to be, Kouga?** he asks, making sure to use the wolf's proper name to emphasize his point.
"As a matter of fact, yes, I do," Kouga barks, clenching and unclenching the fists at his sides. Releasing a long breath, he runs both his hands through the sides of his hair. "Fuck," he growls low under his breath when he finally decides, walking into step with his old Alpha, his elder, the closest thing he has to a father.
They walk silently for a time, Hiro finding himself immensely curious about all the anxious feelings he can sense in the usually confident wolf at his side. **Tell me, Kouga,** he turns his gaze to him, needing to know, to understand, **what is it about this human girl that has you so . . . riled up?**
"Huh?" Kouga asks, he fights back the growl in his throat, reminding himself who this is. "Look, I thought you were going to tell me why you're really here," he crosses his arms over his chest plate as they continue to walk, "You have my attention."
**Ever the impatient one,** Hiro rumbles softly, sounding very much like a chuckle. As if the older wolf is trying to prove a point, they walk together for a time, not speaking a single word to each other, simply observing wolves and demons at play, work, or just lounging about in the bright, warm sun. Right when Kouga thinks he's about to go out of his mind with the silence, the aging wolf speaks.
**There are things regarding the nature of the wolf demon tribe and our future as a race that I would speak with you on, but now is not the time for those talks,** Hiro starts, keeping his eyes on the greenery around him as they walk. **But the nature of those conversations have caused me to think a great deal on the legacy I leave behind me,** he says, turning his head to observe the wolf at his side; Kouga keeps his eyes trained on the path ahead, ever keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings, like a good Alpha does. The sight stirs powerful emotions in Hiro's chest. **And even though you are not son of my body, Kouga, you have certainly always been a son to my heart.**
Said wolf stops dead in his tracks, his heart wrenching at the unexpected statement. He fights back the wetness that threatens the rims of his narrow, hooded gaze. "The honor has always been mine . . . Father," Kouga replies hoarsely, bowing his head in reverence to the old wolf. The gesture pleases the elder who dips his large head in acknowledgment before continuing to walk, making his way up along the steep climb to the top of the waterfall. Kouga follows along beside him, quiet and contemplative.
**As my time draws near -**
"W-Wait, what? What the hell are you talking about?" Kouga growls, sudden panic rushing forward at the statement.
**Oh, I don't mean I'm ready for the next forest just yet,** Hiro rumbles, amusement clear in his tone, **but, I am getting old, Little Fang.** This time, Kouga doesn't say anything about the old nickname. **I can't even shape shift into my humanoid shape anymore, I don't have the strength.** The wolf gives his head a little shake as they stop at the very top of the rushing waters. Its height giving them an incredible view overlooking the vast clearing.
**I will die in this form,** Hiro continues, his tone softer, thoughtful, **and that is how it should be, because I am a . . .** on the last word, the dark elder tips his head back, releasing a long, powerful howl into the sky that could never belong to any normal wolf. As the elder's voice rings out into the land, the other wolves pick up his song, carrying it through the forests for miles around. Overcome with the power of the beautiful voices, a surge of hot yoki flows through Kouga's whole body as his head tips back. So swept up in the potent currents of the moment, he releases his own otherworldly howl to join in the chorus. They fill the clearing and all the skies with the power of their magical voices, the hearts stirring of every one who hears it.
Slowly, the voices recede around the elder wolf who keeps his eyes closed, soaking in the incredible energy still humming in the air. **So beautiful,** he rumbles quietly to himself, but Kouga hears him easily and he can't help but agree with everything that makes him . . . him.
**Before the Wolf Mother calls me back to the great pack, my yoki needs to know that you are taken care of, Kouga,** Hiro turns to face him, his wolfish features softening as he considers the demon before him, **To see you mated and happy.**
Kouga grunts a sound of appreciation at the back of his throat, his emotions overwhelming him as he dips his head in acknowledgement of the words.
The old wolf pauses, choosing his words carefully, **There are also those among the council that say it is unfitting for a lone Alpha to lead so many.**
"Hey, I told ya already. I'm fine, my pack's fine, everybody's fine," Kouga reiterates, doing his best to tamper down his flaring annoyance.
**Really?** Something in the lilt of Hiro's voice triggers a warning flag at the back of Kouga's mind. **Tell me, Kouga, how many new pups has your clan birthed this last spring?**
The question catches the Alpha off guard, "Uh . . ." a lot. He's pretty sure he's seen at least one or two pups running around somewhere . . . right?
**How many pups have been birthed since you became Alpha of the eastern dens?** Hiro questions again.
Kouga growls with annoyance, "How the hell am I supposed to know that?"
**The tribe historian,** The elder wolf answers readily.
Oh yeah. Kouga had forgotten about that crazy old lady.
**Kouga, do you know that you've had no births in your pack in the last two years?** Hiro states, his gaze intent on the young wolf before him.
"What?!" The shock in Kouga's voice reflects on his face. "T-That . . . That's not possible."
**And barely more than a dozen since you've become Alpha of the Eastern Dens,** Hiro adds, the statement falling on the proud Alpha's ears as powerful as any crushing blow.
Kouga shakes his head. "No, that can't be right," he protests, feeling like his head is going to implode. It's just not possible. Barely . . . Barely more than a dozen births in five years, and none . . . none in the last two?! "Something must be wrong," he declares, refusing to believe it. A pack's survival, after all, is ultimately dependent on its young, those that will grow to replace the fallen and the old. Usually the fallen as times of war left little room for old age, even among youkai. Since the birds of paradise had been destroyed, life in the hills has become pretty tame, not a lot of death or dwindling numbers, only the occasional hunts gone wrong or minor clashes with other youkai. Is that why he hasn't noticed?
**That is why, ultimately, we are here, Kouga,** Hiro replies somberly, hating to hurt him but also knowing that only the truth can help the young Alpha now. **I was not to say anything, but I could not keep this from you.** Kouga grunts in appreciation of the kindness. **There are those among the council that question your ability to lead as Alpha,** the elder wolf continues, "You have no mate. You have no pups.** It's rare, but in cases when an Alpha wolf's leadership is detrimental to his pack, it's not unheard of for the elders to combine the tribes and force the unfit wolf out by killing him if need be. The survival of the wolf demon race, after all, comes before anything else. Something every Alpha understands only too well.
"B-But . . ." words cease to form on Kouga's tongue, his mind giving an excellent impersonation of a wind tunnel with all his rattling thoughts and emotions.
**Kouga, you know that a mated Alpha instigates the fertility of his pack,** Hiro gazes at the once young pup before him. **Without cubs, without families, we lose everything,** he reminds him, pausing long enough to give his words a chance to settle. **I have been able to convince the elders that all you need is time away from the quest of vengeance for our fallen brethren with the demon Naraku.**
Kouga notices that at least his elder doesn't refer to it as Kouga's vengeance against Naraku, for in slaying wolf demons, Naraku has declared himself an enemy to all wolf demon.
**And that such pursuits hardly leaves one time to think of mates,** Hiro adds, giving the wolf a pointed look, knowing he'll understand the unspoken message. It had been the only thing he could do to help Kouga with the council, giving the young Alpha one last chance to redeem himself. **The elders decided that if it is so, then we should bring the Wolf Games to you this year so that you may have a chance to find a mate from among the she-wolves of our tribes.**
Kouga starts growling.
**I understand your feelings for the human –**
"Kagome," he interrupts in a low, defensive tone, refusing to accept any slights on her behalf from anyone, even his old Alpha and surrogate father.
Hiro is silent a moment as he considers the young Alpha before him, that something about this woman has cleaved itself to the very core of the wolf's yoki is becoming increasingly clearer. A revelation that forces the elder to take the situation seriously, giving it the respect due.
**Kagome,** he repeats, dipping his large, furry head both in apology and acceptance. At Kouga's nod, the older wolf continues, **But as you are not yet even courting, much less mated, it is in your best interest, Kouga, to participate with the festivities. In this way, at least satisfy the elders for a time.** Even in his wolf form, Hiro's expression can not hide his concern or his affection for the stubborn wolf before him.
"Keh," it's the most InuYasha like snort he's ever made in his life and the thought of it makes Kouga laugh for some reason, for once truly understanding the depth of derision that can be infused in the sound. "Like I care about making them happy," he grunts, holding back a sarcastic laugh.
Hiro shakes his head. **Same impulsive wolf as ever. You must learn to pick your battles, Little Fang, or the wrong battle will pick you.**
-ooOooOooOoo-
Birds chirp softly from within the branches of the cherry trees planted within the Headman's garden. Various colored flowers adorn paths and walkways, even mingled about the many little streaming garden pools. InuYasha takes in a deep, cleansing breath from beneath his peach tree. It's funny how with Kouga not hanging around, he seems more capable of enjoying the tranquil scenery around him. Hell, he's not even irritated that they're staying another night at the headman's house so that Miroku can have another day to heal. At first he'd thought it was just an excuse to continue ogling the serving ladies, but the monk's been oddly . . . well behaved today.
His gaze shift towards a certain dark haired priestess who sits by one of the garden fountains, reading her many skool books. Shippou plays with his crayons next to her, humming to himself and swishing his tail in lazy strokes. InuYasha grins to himself, things with Kagome are also going good. They'd spent the day roaming through the village, even stopping to play at some of the communal games, just having fun together, not a single argument. Okay, yes, Sango, Shippou, and Kirara were technically present as well, and yes, Kagome may have spent a lot more time actually talking with Sango and Shippou, but they'd still been around each other. They still laughed together when they watched little Kirara transform and chase around a running Shippou who thought he'd try and snatch the demon cat's roast fish. Lesson? Don't.
So, why had it taken the damn wolf nosing around for him to see how much he just loves being around her? InuYasha grunts under his breath, his eyes squeezing shut. Damn, his head again. Maybe taking another day to recuperate isn't such a bad idea. He rubs at his temple until the ache passes, his fist curling a little tighter around the scroll he's holding. He hadn't been sure about it when he'd first seen it, but now he knows it's the right thing to do. With the wolf out of the way, he might just be able to make up for his past mistakes.
"Hey, Kagome," rising from his shaded spot, InuYasha walks towards her, his confidence slowly building with each step. "Check it out," he grins, holding out a rolled up scroll with some writing on it.
"What's this, InuYasha?" Taking the parchment, Kagome unrolls it carefully, reading over the kanji.
"It's ah, an announcement from the tavern," he answers, surprising more than one person as the others draw closer.
"Why, InuYasha, I had no idea you enjoyed such places," Miroku claps him on the back with affection and teasing. "I might have misjudged you," he grins, reading the paper over Kagome's shoulder.
"Keh, I don't," he glares at the monk, "but they're ah, having music and games tonight," he answers, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Music?" Kagome's eyes spark with something akin to glee.
"Games?" Shippou's eyes widen to saucers as he peers up at the scroll he still can't quite read yet.
"Oh, that sounds like fun," Sango peers over Kagome's other shoulder, reading the scroll. Apparently, in celebration of the village's survival, everyone is invited to partake in some much needed revelry. Music, food, and even games for the children, are all being provided for by the tavern as part of the festivities.
"Oh, let's go, Kagome, let's go!" Shippou hops up and down excitedly, his crayons forgotten.
"InuYasha?" Kagome quirks a brow at him, eyeing the hanyou intently. Fun and festivities isn't something her dog demon friend overly enjoys participating in. In fact, they've had to leave more than one village whenever such things came up. "You . . . You want to go?"
He can feel the burn on his cheeks even more than the pressure at his temple, but he doesn't care. If the last few days have taught him anything, it's that he can't keep living in the past. Besides, it will be a great way to spend time with Kagome that's not them always fighting and killing things. The fact that the wolf isn't around is an added bonus.
"What? You guys actually complaining?" he instinctively barks, quickly reining himself in. Fuck, he really does suck at this. "Look," InuYasha takes in a deep breath before releasing it, a cool calm coming over him. "We've been through a lot lately and I just thought it might be fun," he answers, ignoring the surprised looks of the others. The only thing he cares about is the brilliant smile Kagome gives him when she nods eagerly.
"I think that's a great idea, InuYasha."
-ooOooOooOoo-
The sun is just starting its slow descent into the horizon when Kouga makes his way back towards the main den. After his talk with Hiro, he'd taken a hard look at his lands and had seen the various array of ages among his warriors and she-wolves, but the younger they got, the fewer of them he saw. His pack should be thriving with young pups, instead they are scattered and few. He'd immediately gone to the old hag that kept all the records, he'd needed to see for himself this count Hiro had been talking of, but his old Alpha hadn't been exaggerating. The realization forms a cold, painful pit in Kouga's stomach as he takes everything in.
The thought of failing his pack, that he's been doing it since he's taken over, stings – a lot! More than just to his wolf demon pride, this is survival of the species kind of stuff, ingrained into his DNA if he knew what DNA was. Granted, the first year of his leadership had seen a lot of battles with the birds of paradise, and Kouga had been mostly focused on getting back at Naraku and protecting Kagome that he hadn't really thought of anything else. As long as his pack was well fed, safe, and had a place to sleep at night, the rest didn't really seem to matter.
He's just crossing the pasture where many of the new arrivals have situated themselves when Kouga senses a familiar presence behind him. "What do ya want?" he asks his beta with a heavy sigh before the wolf even fully approaches. He has a lot on his mind at the moment and doesn't want to be disturbed.
"Uh, hey, Kouga," Hakkaku smiles a little nervously, sensing his leader's mood. "Everyone's ah, really excited that you've agreed to have the festival here," he offers in a tentative test of waters.
"That's great," Kouga answers with little enthusiasm. He knows it's good for his wolves to celebrate and have some fun, he's starting to realize that his single minded focus on his hunt for Naraku has been blinding him to everything else. Your single minded pursuit of Naraku or of Kagome? a part of him dares to ask, but he already knows the answer.
"Boss?" Hakkaku asks again when Kouga doesn't answer.
"Huh?" Kouga snaps back out of his thoughts, not having heard anything his second in command has just said to him. "What did ya say?"
"I was just telling you that we sent out another hunting pack to gather more food, but the other tribes have come with a lot of their own provisions, so we should be okay keeping everyone fed," Hakkaku repeats.
"Oh," Damn it! He hadn't even thought about that! His mind is obviously more than a little distracted. "Good to know. Thanks, Hakkaku," Kouga says, surprising his beta with his thoughtful and non-aggressive tone.
"Kouga?" Sensing his leader has a lot on his mind, Hakkaku takes a step closer, "You okay, Boss?"
Releasing a long sigh, Kouga turns his head to look back at his long time friend. "Do you think the elders are right, Hakkaku?"
"About what?" he asks, having heard much of what the elders had said earlier.
Kouga shakes his head, unable to believe he's actually uttering the words. "Have I . . . Have I been doing a lousy job as Alpha?" It's the bark of laughter beside him that surprises him the most.
"Damn, Kouga, is that what's got you so moo . . . err, I mean, hell no, Boss," Hakkaku grins, hands curling proudly on his hips. "If it wasn't for you, we'd all be dead by now and the birds of paradise would be crawling all over these cliffs, using our bones for their nests," he answers, his arm sweeping wide around them.
Kouga dips his head at the praise. "But, we've hardly had any new pups," he tells him, hating to admit his failure.
"So? Once you and sister Kagome ma . . . err, come together," Hakkaku grins, slapping Kouga on the back of the shoulder in an affectionate manner, "I don't think that'll be a problem, Boss."
It's hard for Kouga to hold back the grin on his face at his beta's words, the prospect of Kagome sired with his pups lightening the heaviness in his heart.
"Don't let those elders get to you, Kouga," Hakkaku's tone turns more serious, thoughtful. "They have no idea what life was like here before, but we do," he continues, his tone taking on a rare flare of defensiveness. "We remember everything that you did to save us, Kouga, and we'll follow you anywhere."
There have been few moments in Kouga's life that have left him speechless, his tribesman's words and loyalty doing much to console the grief that has been claiming him of late. "Thanks, Hakkaku," he says hoarsely, nodding to his longtime friend.
"Sure," the beta nods at him, pleased to have been able to help in some way. "I ah, better go check on Ginta," he adds, sensing it's time to leave his leader to his thoughts. "He was having some trouble earlier with the warriors on the practice field," he admits.
"Don't worry about it, I'll check it out," Kouga says, needing the walk to clear his head.
Making his way to the practice fields, Hakkaku's words echo in Kouga's mind, reassuring the Alpha that even if the elders aren't happy with the way he's running his pack, at least his wolves are, and that's what matters. As he approaches the field, Kouga watches a group of she-wolves chatting and laughing with several members of his pack. Foremost among them he sees Ginta with a wide ass grin on his face talking with one of the visiting she-wolves with rather nice coloring. Looks like Hakkaku doesn't have anything to worry about.
The sight however makes Kouga smirk to himself. He can feel the energy, can literally scent the sexual tension in the air, and he's reminded of his days as a member of Hiro's pack. Siring new pups had definitely never been a problem there. He releases a frustrated breath, hating to admit that just maybe the elders are right; a mated Alpha, his increased power and sexual scent, it feeds the others, but there is only one woman that has ever fed Kouga's fires, and without Kagome, what's the point of any of it?
His gaze sweeps over the land, catching on a lone she-wolf training apart from where the others are practicing and talking. He can't see her face very well because of the angle, but it's hard to miss the flare of her bright red hair. Sparring in a ring with another, smaller, female, it's her moves that draws Kouga's attention against his better judgment. The she-wolf kicks and parries with incredible ferocity, growling and snarling at her opponent who is all but on their back now, giving the submit signal, but the aggressive she-wolf pushes forward, ignoring the command.
"Come on, Mia! Give me a break!" Etsu cries out, hitting the ground with her back – hard. She's been taking the brunt of her friend's anger all afternoon after the Alpha Kouga had brushed her off, wounding the prideful she-wolf's ego more than a little. Using her shield to block the incoming blow, Etsu is relieved when she never feels it connect. "Eh?" She peeks over her shield to see the wild-eyed she-wolf dangling by her neck from the large and imposing fist of the Alpha of the eastern dens himself. Etsu swallows at the hostile look in his eyes as he glares at Mia.
"What the hell is your problem, woman?!" Kouga snarls, having arrived just in time to stop her from doing real harm to the smaller she-wolf. "She gave you the submit command," he barks angrily, the struggling she-wolf still clutched tight in his large fist.
"Let... go of me!" Mia growls back, trying to push off Kouga's strong hold, but it's impossible. The she-wolf shivers with delight despite herself at the Alpha's aggressive wildness.
"Not until you calm down," Kouga growls again, amazed at the she-wolf's audacity as she holds his gaze for several seconds too long.
Blushingly, Mia's eyes drop submissively to the ground. "I am calm," she says, her tone softening and dropping several octaves.
Kouga releases her, dropping her to her feet, just as Hakkaku and Ginta jog up. They stop a few feet behind him, staying silent while keeping his guard should he need anything. Turning towards the smaller she-wolf, Kouga extends his arm out to her. "You okay . . . uh," damn, he hadn't caught her name.
"I'm Etsu," she smiles nervously, reaching for the extended hand and letting the wolf lord help her to her feet. "And yes, Alpha, I'm fine, thank you," she nods, dusting herself off. "Mia didn't mean it," the she-wolf quickly defends, accidentally locking eyes with the imposing Alpha, but not wanting her friend to get into any trouble. "She ah, she just gets . . . o-over excited sometimes," she reassures, quickly dropping her eyes to her feet in a submissive manner.
Mia crosses her arms over her armored chest in response, looking away, but she doesn't say anything.
Kouga's gaze turns back to the she-wolf he had met earlier that morning. "You're elder Daiki's granddaughter," he states.
Pleased that the Alpha is finally paying attention to her, Mia lifts her gaze back to meet Kouga's. "Yes, I am," she nods, a small smile spreading on her face.
"You got really good fighting instincts, I'll give ya that," Kouga tells her, seeing her preen proudly under his praise, "but your control is shit." He almost enjoys the balked look that comes across her face before the she-wolf's gaze shifts, it happens just seconds before he hears Etsu mumble a soft, "Oh shit," under her breath.
A loud rush of wind rings in Kouga's ears a second before he finds himself on his back, looking up at the wild-eyed grinning form of Mia hovering above him as she straddles his hips, pinning his shoulders to the ground. Gazing triumphantly down at him, her fiery red hair blazes around her almost as brightly as her less powerful yoki.
"Whose control is shit?" she purrs next to his ear, her sudden nearness and the spike of arousal in her scent making even Kouga sweat. For a brief moment, the Alpha in him is actually impressed with the she-wolf's aggressive forwardness. Her fighting spirit and moxie reminding him very much of Kagome.
Kagome.
Suddenly realizing their positions and not feeling at all comfortable with it, Kouga pushes the grinning she-wolf off of him. "What the fuck?!" he growls with irritation as he jumps to his feet, annoyed at the proud look that glows bright on Mia's face. It takes much courage, some might even say stupidity, on the she-wolf's part not to back away from the powerful flare of Kouga's very displeased, very irritated yoki as his eyes narrow hard on her.
"What?" she says in a feigned attempt at indifference. "You issued a challenge and I proved you wrong."
Kouga actually half grunts at the she-wolf's audacity. "If I had issued you a real challenge," he states, taking a step closer to her, right into her personal space. His tall height over her causes Mia to tip her head nearly all the way back just to hold his gaze. "You'd be the one on your back," he rumbles with authority.
The wave of dominant energy that sparks off the Alpha thrills the she-wolf to the marrow of her bones, her shifting scent giving away as much. She drops her eyes just enough to show her submission, then looks back up at him from beneath lowered lashes.
"Do you promise?" she asks, her tone low and sultry.
Kouga smirks at Mia's tactics, his tail giving a slow swish behind him. It's not the first time a female has tried to get his attention by pushing his buttons, but few have ever been quite as . . . audacious.
"What?" the she-wolf asks when Kouga still doesn't speak, daring to hold the Alpha's gaze.
Eyes of ice-blue fire narrow fractionally, the subtle gesture loaded with power and dominance. "I'm trying to decide if you're either very smart or very stupid," Kouga rumbles, holding Mia's gaze until she finally drops her eyes and takes two steps back from him, submitting to his authority. Well, she's not stupid, he'll give her that.
Sensing she's finally gained some footing with the highly desirable and stubborn Alpha, Mia turns away, flicking her thick hair over her shoulder as she looks back at him, a knowing smile etching her lips.
"Come, Etsu," she purrs, her gaze shifting momentarily to her companion whose gaze is still locked on her feet, "I believe our noble Alpha has work to see to."
"Yes, of course," Etsu agrees, bowing quickly to the Alpha and his betas as she follows after Mia, relieved that things hadn't gotten as volatile as she'd feared. If the wolf tribes think Kouga has a temper, it's only because they haven't meant Mia.
"Damn, Kouga," Hakkaku barks with stunned awe as he steps next to his leader, watching intently as the beautiful she-wolf walks away. The seductive roll of her hips as she does, a clear signal to the Alpha that tracks after her. "Looks like Mia's got her sights set on you," he grins, making Ginta smirk who flanks Kouga's other side.
"What are ya gonna do about it, Boss?" Ginta asks, his gaze lingering on the smaller she-wolf.
Kouga grunts at the question. "Nothing," he answers, gripping both Hakkaku and Ginta by their shoulders in a friendly manner. "Because that right there furballs," he squeezes affectionately as they watch the she-wolf sashay away, "that is nothing but trouble," he smirks, making both his beta's bark with laughter. Truth, after all, has a funny way of doing that.
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A/Note:
Damn! I don't know about you guys, but this Mia chick is starting to piss me off lol. I'm almost nervous when I know she's gonna pop into a scene 'cause I'm not sure what she's going to do until I'm writing it! So yeah, here's a "Sorry" in advance for whatever comes next! ;-) But I am enjoying the sauciness!
What I liked most though about this chapter besides the play between Hiro and Kouga, is how much more Kouga's story means, the one he told Kagome about in ... uh... damn, what chapter was it? I'm too lazy to look, lol. When he's telling her the story about his first hunt :) That was when he was with Hiro! OMG! I just realized that 'Hiro' sounds like 'Hero' and in a way, that's what the older wolf is to Kouga since he pretty much raised him. I love how my brain works sometimes XD Sorry, I'm rambling, hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! ~ p.